Threats Posed by Contaminated Water on Unborn Child’s Health

Pregnancy is the time when you need to stay extra careful so that both you and the baby stay safe from any complications. In addition to eating healthy, you also need to be extra careful about the drinking water quality that you use. The toxins present in drinking water are hazardous for everyone, however, expectant mothers need to be extra careful. The reason is these contaminants in drinking water prove to be hazardous for both the mother and unborn. Considering the increasing amount of pollution, water purifiers have become a necessity rather than a luxury in every home. If you are an expectant mother, the blog is especially for you. Read on to find out the threats posed by drinking contaminated water during pregnancy.

Drinking-Water Contaminants to Watch Out for During Pregnancy

Drinking tap water during pregnancy can pose a lot of risk to the expectant mother and unborn baby. The reason is tap water has high levels of pollutants that lead to a number of health problems. Here are some of the contaminants that you need to be specifically careful about during pregnancy:

• Lead
• Microorganisms
• Pesticides
• Arsenic

1. Lead

The most harmful pollutant present in water is lead. This contaminant seeps into tap water when water passes through rusted pipes. The pipes corrode when the acidity level in the water supplied is very high. Exposure to lead during pregnancy affects the cognitive function of the babies and also has an impact on their IQ level. This also increases attention-related behavioral problems among kids after birth.

2. Microorganisms

Water also contains a lot of microorganisms such as bacteria that can lead to serious health problems such as E.coli, Giardia. These viruses and bacteria seep into the water through the sewage system or animal waste. Drinking this contaminated water during pregnancy can lead to severe gastrointestinal illnesses. As the immune system of expectant mothers is suppressed, they are at a higher risk of suffering from severe gastrointestinal diseases.

3. Pesticides

Organic chemicals such as glyphosate may seep into water as a result of runoff from crop production. Drinking such impure water increases the risk of reduced fetal growth.

4. Arsenic

Arsenic seeps into the water from different types of natural deposits or industrial pollution. Drinking water with a high level of arsenic during pregnancy increases the chances of miscarriage, preterm birth, and birth defects.

Disinfection By-products

When chemical disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic matter, it can lead to the formation of chloroform. There is a link between the presence of disinfection byproducts and the increased risk of birth defects. The presence of disinfection byproducts in water causes neural tube defects and cleft palates.

Is Bottled Water Safe for Babies?

Bottled water is widely used in almost all households. However, many of us are unaware of the fact that bottled water poses a lot of harm to both unborn child and mother. Bottled water may contain BPA and other harmful chemicals that seep into the stored water and make it extremely unsafe to use. The source of water is also unknown, which is another important factor that you need to consider when you prefer drinking bottled water, especially during pregnancy.

How to keep the Unborn Baby Safe?

Considering the increasing amount of water pollution, the only way to stay safe from its harmful effects is by installing an RO water purifier. The water purifiers use a combination of purification processes to remove different types of impurities and make water safe for use. For the convenience of the users, some of the water purifiers from KENT also come with a digital display of performance. The unique feature ensures that you know when to change the filters or the UV lamp to avoid drinking contaminated water. In addition, the purifiers also come with an in-tank UV disinfection feature, which keeps the purified water in the storage tank safe for use. So, if you are expecting, make sure you install an RO water purifier to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. To find out more about the different types of purifiers available.